Possible TMJ???

Hello.

Ever since June 30th, I have experienced the following:

*Headaches
*right sided jaw pain
*eye pain (feels like I've been kicked in both eyes)
*ear pain/fluid in the ears (feels like I've been on an airplane and haven't flown since 2008).
*stiff neck
*threw up twice since June 30th
*Ringing in the ears
*dizziness

My primary doc told me to take a decongestant and put me on a medrol dose pack of predisone to help pull the fluid out of my ears.  When that didn't work a week later, he put me on a straight predisone taper.  My jaw hurts right in front of my ear.  There is also this clicking noise whenever I open and close my jaw.  I was involved in a car accident back in 2001 where I got hit in the face by the airbag.  Could my jaw have slipped out of place now?  I heard that sometimes it doesn't show up until years later.  The headache has been horrible...I've had to miss a work a couple of days because it has been so bad.  If anyone could please enlighten me on what this could possibly be, I would greatly appreciate it!

[Bridget A. Hewitt, RN]

Hi and thanks for using the forum.

What you have described could be TMJ.  If the prednisone taper is ineffective, I think you should ask your doctor for a referral to a TMJ specialist or a dentist with experience with TMJ.  TMJ is usually diagnosed upon exam and with a CT scan or MRI.  There are medications, therapies and some procedures that are used to treat TMJ.  Since this is having a strong impact on your life and previous treatment by your primary care physician has not been effective, I think it is worth pursuing this with a specialist.  He or she can either diagnose the TMJ or rule it out for you.  Good luck.

Bridget